The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting in Maitama, Abuja, has granted the former Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Danladi Umar, bail in the sum of ₦100 million over allegations that he received gratification from contractors engaged by the tribunal while in office.
Justice Peter Kekemeke granted Umar bail on Wednesday with one surety in the same sum. The surety is required to provide proof of ownership of a property in Abuja.
The judge rejected the objection raised by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, holding that the prosecution failed to provide compelling reasons why the defendant should be denied bail.
Although the EFCC’s case involves alleged gratification totalling about ₦15 million, the court fixed the bail bond at ₦100 million.
The EFCC arraigned Umar on July 9 over allegations that he received financial benefits from companies that executed contracts for the Code of Conduct Tribunal.
The anti-graft agency alleged that some contractors transferred money to the bank account of Umar’s wife, Zulaihatu Umar, and paid the school fees of his children at Baze University in Abuja.
Umar pleaded not guilty to the charges, prompting the court to order his remand in a correctional facility pending the determination of his bail application.
During Wednesday’s proceedings, Umar’s lawyer, Edward Sunday, urged the court to admit his client to bail.
The defence counsel argued that Umar cooperated with the EFCC throughout its investigation, which lasted about one year, and honoured every invitation extended to him by the commission.
Sunday also told the court that Umar did not violate the terms of the administrative bail earlier granted to him by the EFCC or attempt to evade the investigation.
He therefore maintained that there was no basis for keeping the former tribunal chairman in custody pending trial.
EFCC counsel Christopher Mshelia opposed the bail application, citing the seriousness of the alleged offences, the punishment prescribed upon conviction and the nature of the prosecution’s evidence.
Mshelia argued that some of the witnesses expected to testify had worked under Umar while he served as Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal.
He submitted that there was a possibility that the defendant could interfere with or influence the witnesses if released on bail.
During the exchange, Justice Kekemeke asked the prosecutor whether Umar had attempted to escape or abscond during the investigation.
“Did he run? Did he abscond?” the judge asked.
Mshelia answered in the negative but argued that the circumstances had changed because there was no certainty during the investigation that the matter would result in criminal charges.
In his ruling, Justice Kekemeke said he had considered the arguments presented by both parties and reiterated that every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The judge held that a defendant is ordinarily entitled to bail unless the prosecution establishes that the person is likely to interfere with evidence, intimidate witnesses, commit another offence, conceal or destroy evidence, or evade trial.
According to the court, the EFCC failed to produce sufficient evidence showing that Umar would engage in any of those actions if released.
Justice Kekemeke consequently granted him bail in the sum of ₦100 million with one surety in like sum who must provide proof of ownership of property within Abuja.
The court adjourned the matter until October 29, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
According to the EFCC, Kurchmives International Limited, a subcontractor under a contract awarded by the Code of Conduct Tribunal to Momanaf Global Ventures Limited for the painting of the tribunal’s headquarters, allegedly transferred ₦5 million to Zulaihatu Umar’s Zenith Bank account.
The commission also alleged that Portal Realities Limited, described as a sister company of JTF Global Links Limited, transferred ₦6 million to Mrs Umar’s account.
JTF Global Links Limited had been awarded a contract for the digitalisation of the Code of Conduct Tribunal’s management records.
The EFCC further alleged that Portal Realities Limited paid more than ₦4 million as school fees for Umar’s children, Faiza and Yakubu, at Baze University.
The prosecution maintained that the alleged transactions amounted to Umar using his public office to confer an undue advantage on himself or members of his family.
The charges were brought under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000, which criminalises the use of public office to confer a corrupt or unfair advantage on a public officer, relative, associate or friend.
The offence carries a prison term of up to seven years upon conviction.
Umar has denied all the allegations, which remain subject to proof by the prosecution during the trial.
The post “Court Grants Ex-CCT Chairman Danladi Umar ₦100m Bail” — Faces Alleged ₦15m Gratification Charges appeared first on TheNigeriaLawyer.
